So I have a friend....

[Woody]

who I just found out is shipping out to Afganistan tomorrow for three months to train the police there. He's also a member of the ETF here in Toronto as well as being in the reserves, which I think is part of the reason they asked him to go over there. While I know it's something that he has wanted to do for some time now, I am worried given the way things are over there (it is a "war" after all), that something very very bad is going to happen. I'm sure (and hope) it will all work out in the end, but who knows... Anyway, I don't really know why I wrote this, I guess I am just looking for people to send positive thoughts while he is there to maybe keep him safe....

*sigh*

 

[SweatyNuts]

could he have said no?

 

[Woody]

yes... I think he's been trying to head over there for a little while though, and the major stumbling block was that the police didn't want to let him go for a regular tour, hence them agreeing to a three month one. I think the average one is a year? or maybe 6 months, I don't really know....

 

[litespeed]

I wouldn't stress it. I'm sure he'll be back before ya know it!

 

[OTIS]

I think people underestimate how much working within that kind of field shifts one's priorities. While most civilians can't understand what would compel someone to want to go over there, in military circles, or elite tactical forces, such a thing is most often seen as a golden opportunity under the right circumstances.

It would be akin to working years training in computer programming, never getting to write software, then getting recruited to program for google or something similar.

Wish him luck, and a safe return.

 

[Syntax Error]

this is kinda like that green day video.

 

[SweatyNuts]

why would you want to go over into a situation like that? does this person honestly feel like they're going to make a difference over there? they'll prolly accomplish the same amount of good staying in T.O., running frogger-style back and forth from one side of the 401 to the other. same likelihood of success any way.

best of luck to your friend. sounds insane to me.

 

[EltrikSoulCntlr]

He is being paid to get shot at. Hope the money is worth it.

 

[Syntax Error]

you're all a bunch of fucking hippies.

 

[SweatyNuts]

I think people underestimate how much working within that kind of field shifts one's priorities. While most civilians can't understand what would compel someone to want to go over there, in military circles, or elite tactical forces, such a thing is most often seen as a golden opportunity under the right circumstances.

It would be akin to working years training in computer programming, never getting to write software, then getting recruited to program for google or something similar.

Wish him luck, and a safe return.

that's gay. big difference you're neglecting: this person could DIE.

further, what are they trying to prove to their superiors by going over there? that they have big balls, or are willing to follow orders, even when it means they're risking their life? to me it doesn't make sense.

 

[SweatyNuts]

you're all a bunch of fucking hippies.

so you're going too?

 

[EltrikSoulCntlr]

Could it be the paycheck?

 

[Syntax Error]

i fail to undertand your logic.

 

[EltrikSoulCntlr]

^ who's logic?

 

[Syntax Error]

the hippie's.

 

[EltrikSoulCntlr]

hippies don't use logic they free associate.

 

[SweatyNuts]

my point is that it would be different if we were talking about your life.

and i'm not a hippy. stephen harper is my dad.

 

[deep]

to me it doesn't make sense.

Like the man said. Some people have a different perspective on what's most important: themselves / their own well being or something bigger than them.

 

[SweatyNuts]

i guess if it's just your life, then whatever. i just hope they don't have kids or a wife. then you're gambling with a little more.

 

[deep]

Sure. But I'm pretty sure the set of values also finds some consolation in a loved one dying to help others out. One of the kids who got blown up by the IED in Afghanistan - they had a picture of his funeral in the paper today. His father was wearing a Canadian flag tie, instead of publicly displaying his anguish towards the country or idea his first born son died for.

 

[Woody]

I think people underestimate how much working within that kind of field shifts one's priorities. While most civilians can't understand what would compel someone to want to go over there, in military circles, or elite tactical forces, such a thing is most often seen as a golden opportunity under the right circumstances.

It would be akin to working years training in computer programming, never getting to write software, then getting recruited to program for google or something similar.

Wish him luck, and a safe return.

Having been in the Military myself, I do understand what he is facing, which is primarily why I am worried. This is not a happy place to be, not that any war is, but this is particularly rotten. There is a reason that no one has really "won" anything over there before and I really think that it's going to get a lot worse than it is already.

As for why? Knowing my friend, it's not to prove anything to anyone, he is simply going over there because he feels it's the right thing to do. My friend is a very honourable person, and as long as I have known him, (which is a very long time) he has always strove to help people and to what he thinks is best. That's the whole reason he became a police officer in the first place...

 

[SweatyNuts]

Sure. But I'm pretty sure the set of values also finds some consolation in a loved one dying to help others out. One of the kids who got blown up by the IED in Afghanistan - they had a picture of his funeral in the paper today. His father was wearing a Canadian flag tie, instead of publicly displaying his anguish towards the country or idea his first born son died for.

i guess i just don't agree that he can help the situation, or that canada should even be in there. again, only my opinion.

then again, i'm a hippie.

 

[SweatyNuts]

Having been in the Military myself, I do understand what he is facing, which is primarily why I am worried. This is not a happy place to be, not that any war is, but this is particularly rotten. There is a reason that no one has really "won" anything over there before and I really think that it's going to get a lot worse than it is already.

As for why? Knowing my friend, it's not to prove anything to anyone, he is simply going over there because he feels it's the right thing to do. My friend is a very honourable person, and as long as I have known him, (which is a very long time) he has always strove to help people and to what he thinks is best. That's the whole reason he became a police officer in the first place...

it's too bad there isn't any good to be done as a police officer here in the city.

 

[Aeryanna]

It sounds like a great thing your friend is doing by going over there to help in such a way. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision to make. Wish him luck and a safe return

 

[OTIS]

big difference you're neglecting: this person could DIE.

You think that's unique to that job? Or is it just that there more of a perceived risk with going to a war zone? Would you judge a lumberjack the same way if they made a career move to move onto bigger trees? It's a much riskier job than being in the military.

The point of my analogy was to draw a parallel between the career motives between two professions, not to equate their risk factor. It takes a bit of a paradigm shift away from reactionary logic to understand it.